Money is Not the Root of All Evil

As shocking as it may sound even to non-Christians, money is not the root of all evil. The actual passage says the love of money is the root of all evil. The full context is:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. -- 1 Timothy 6:7-10.

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare" brings to mind a passage from Proverbs:

Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom. -- Proverbs 23:4

In bad economic times, capitalism is often denigrated as the source of the problem. The age-old adage that money is the root of all evil is no doubt brought to bear, bringing apparently Biblical force to the condemnation of a free market. It should be noted however that

1. Free markets are rarely free.
2. Credit is not capital.
3. Money is not the root of all evil.

The Bible has many things to say about wealth and the wealthy; here are just a few passages:

He that oppresses the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that gives to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want. -- Proverbs 22:16

Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. -- Proverbs 23:5

For riches [are] not for ever: and does the crown [endure] to every generation? -- Proverbs 27:24

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. -- Matthew 13:22 (See also, Mark 4:19)

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; -- 1 Timothy 6:17

But the Bible never says that money is the root of all evil. It says the love of money, that is greed, is the root of all evil. The words translated as love and money are actually the same word in the Greek: It is philarguria (fil-ar-goo-ree'-ah) which means "avarice" (G5365). Additionally, "all evil" should be translated "all the evils", i.e., all the evils discussed in 1 Timothy 6:3-5.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself. -- 1 Timothy 6:3-5

We sometimes act as though wealth or poverty is a source of shame, but that which God gives us is for our enjoyment.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. -- James 1:17

It is our portion "under the sun":

Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this [is] the gift of God. -- Ecclesiastes 5:19